Welcome to Week 4 of 'Finding 101 Wonderful Things'
What are the stories that have inspired you this year? This week we find joy in the books, movies, and media in our lives.
“In the end, we’ll all become stories.”
Margaret Atwood
The Fictions that Enliven Reality
When I page back through 101 Wonderful Things lists from years past, certain themes stand out. For example, books, authors, and sweet moments spent with a novel or poetry collection populate my lists, almost as much as favorite people, and big-ticket experiences like vacations or achievements.
Granted, I'm a bit of a nerd (and always have been). I have been drawn to the life of literature and letters for as long as I can remember. Even before I could recite the alphabet I’d sit in the armchair beside the bookshelf in our living room holding an open novel in front of me. I only understood later that my parents were chuckling at me back then because the book I was pretending to read, was upside down in my hands.
So, it’s no surprise that my year-end list of wonderful things is rich in memories of reading in front of the fireplace with a dog or cat curled up beside me; visits to bookstores during vacations in new cities, afternoons spent in public libraries browsing titles, devouring an entire book during a sick day, having a favorite poetry book signed by its author, or being so immersed in a novel that when it was over I missed the protagonist as if she or he were a dear friend who moved away unexpectedly …
I suspect that I’m not alone in the out-sized amount of contentment, joy, fun, and meaning that stories bring to my life. We are story-telling animals, after all. Don’t believe me? Consider your dreams. Each night while you sleep, you spin out plot-filled narratives populated by quirky, memorable characters! (We’ll look more at dreams together next week!)
Dreams also remind us that stories are not confined to the pages of books. They live in our imaginations. We can also find entertaining, inspiring, and memorable tales through movies, or on our favorite streaming services, through podcasts, poems, song lyrics, and more!
This week in the "Finding 101 Wonderful Things" mini-series, you will:✅ Reflect on the tales you’ve read and listened to, the series and movies you’ve watched, and more.
✅ Review your bookshelves, viewing histories, and more to discover the stories that have enhanced your year.
✅ Enjoy the Gratitude Alphabet audio reflection.
✅ And more.
But first, here are some upcoming opportunities to help you connect with your stories and dreams in the New Year …
Come home to your writing this winter: Register for this virtual stay-home writing retreat by Jan. 1 and get 10% off:
New!
A Dream of Many Colors: Wisdom Writing from Ancient Sages and Contemporary Knowledge
Thursdays, January 9, 15, 23 and 30, 2025, 1-2:30 p.m. EST (also available on replay if the dates and times don’t work for you) Join me for a dream-writing immersion using guided meditations, writing prompts, and dream incubation to tap into the midnight mind. Uncover writing techniques for wisdom and fresh outlooks from the perspective of ancient Jewish texts. (Hosted by Ritualwell, and open to people of all faiths , or none, and to everyone whether you remember dreams or not.) Get the details and register here.
PLUS: Gift Subscriptions to this online publication are now available!
Now let’s continue building our lists — and our joy muscles — with this week’s installment of Finding 101 Wonderful Things, where I offer inspiration for all, and bonus material for paid subscribers.
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This week we focus on The joyful life of letters and stories
Get ready to get grateful for the stories you’ve read, watched, and listened to in 2024, your favorite fictional characters, book and movie settings, and more.
Keep reading for more prompts and inspiration to help you re-enliven the wonderful and wonder-filled moments from 2024.
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